Ialee Kay (“Sammye”) Turner passed away peacefully at age 86 on October 12, 2016.Ialee Kay McGee was born June 22, 1930 to Poley P. McGee and Lily McGee in Midland, Texas. She spent her youth in Colorado City wrangling two dear brothers, Lane and Larry McGee, and attended Colorado City High School (where we understand the pep squad was outstanding… from her own accounts!).It was there that she met the love of her life Walter L. Turner. After Walter convinced Mr. and Mrs. McGee that he was a worthy man to take care of their daughter, the elder McGees approved, and Walter and “Sammye” (a nickname she acquired in high school) were married on June 26, 1947.They soon began the adventure of their new lives together in Midland, Texas, which they called home for the rest of their lives. After a honeymoon phase of a few years, the adventure expanded with the addition of their three children: daughter Kaylynn, daughter Suzanne and son Clay.In their first years in Midland, Sammye worked in a photography studio and discovered a lifelong love of photography. Her favorite subjects to photograph were her children and grandchildren, historic Texas courthouses and Texas wildflowers from all over the state. A spring “flower tour” of much of the state they loved, was an annual ritual for Walter and Sammye during each April when the wildflowers were at their peak.The family ultimately expanded to grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Although most made their homes in Midland, some are spread as far afield as Austin and New Orleans.Sammye and Walter’s adventure together ended after 63 years of marriage with Walter’s death in 2010. Sammye continued on her path alone but surrounded by loving children and grandchildren until her death on October 12, 2016. She was loved and will be very much missed by all including her grandchildren Cody Peck, Mandy Hendrix and Chris Turner-NealThe family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the third wing of Senior Care of Midland and to the administration. Their care of Mrs. Turner was exemplary.A private burial will be held in Colorado City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Home Hospice of Midland.,
